First Santa Rosa-based Notebooks Unveiled

The notebook market keeps growing and some manufacturers intentionally release specifications of their future models way in advance for marketing reasons. Based on this strategy, and following Fujitsu leaks last week, Lenovo "unveiled" specification of its first Santa Rosa-based notebook model, known as ThinkPad T61 and R61:

- Bus 800 MHz
- Core 2 Duo (T7x00) up to 2.4GHz
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 IGP (GMA3000)
- WiFi drafted 802.11n
- Intel Turbo Card, aka Robson technology, supporting up to 1GB of flash memory.

Availability in shops is expected as soon as next week (May) while new models featuring a BD burner will only arrive in July.
If Apple keeps following its policy of bringing Intel technology to the Mac platform as soon as there are released, we should have new MB, MB Pro, and potentially iMac models in a very future. It could also explain why the RefurbStore is currently offering all Core and Core 2 Duo-based MB and MB Pro models.
Based on Santa Rosa specifications, the new MB Pro and iMac models should feature:
iMac and MB Pro:
- 800MHz bus
- Core 2 Duo (T7x00) ranging from 2.0 to 2.4GHz
- 1 or 2GB of RAM, with a maximum of 4GB
- Intel Turbo Card with 512MB or 1GB pre-installed flash memory
- SuperDrive and BD burner as a BTO option (especially for iMac)
- GPU: the Radeon X2900 could be installed in the iMac, but for cost reason it could also remain powered by NVidia solutions. MB Pro should remain with ATI GPU.
- display resolution should not improve, but Apple might offer a full HD compatible panel, even though one will have to wait for Leopard to fully benefit from it.
MacBook:
- Core 2 Duo (T7x00) ranging from 1.8 to 2.2GHz on an 800MHz bus.
- 1 or 2GB of RAM, with a maximum of 4GB
- Intel Turbo Card with 256MB or 512MB pre-installed flash memory (larger capacity as a BTO)
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 IGP (GMA3000)
- SuperDrive or BD Combo drive (BD player DVD burner)
If specifications should not be a surprise anymore, the design remains unclear as Apple might choose to continue with the current enclosures, or move to a completely new look.